My Sophomore and Senior yearbooks!
As some of you may know, I'm currently on my summer vacation and as the month of May comes to a close, June is around the corner and during this time of the year it has become pretty nostalgic for me. A couple of weeks ago, I visited my old high school and I got to see some of my old teachers and a couple of my friends who are seniors now that I've missed a lot, and just thinking that around this time TWO YEARS ago-- I can't believe it's already been two years-- since I've graduated high school! That sounds so weird! I've always been used to saying, "I graduated last year"; "Last year, I did this..." or "Last year I did that.." I was so used to saying "last year," but now it's TWO years since its happened.
Although, I don't miss the "high school" part of high school, I do miss the people. A little over a week ago, I got to hang out with one of my homies, which was so much fun! He's a senior in high school and I'm so excited for what he has planned for the future-- what he's doing now! While we hung out, he asked me about the kind of things we (my friends and I) do for fun, while in Redding at Simpson. I mentioned the dollar theater, Castle Crags, hiking, the lake, on-campus events, and Dutch Bos.-- all of which are pretty legitimate events and places to go to. But let's face it, Redding is a pretty small city and there really isn't much to do-- I apologize completely to the city of Redding and those that live there, I hope that statement does not offend you. But as I continued to think about the kind of things there are to do for fun, I probably made Simpson sound a lot more boring than it actually is, but now that I think about it, I didn't mention the people that makes Simpson fun! Throughout the academic year while at Redding, I continue to laugh uncontrollably, grow and live with such amazing, authentic, and crazy funny individuals that without them, Simpson would not have been as great as it is.
That is where its been nostalgic. People. It's the people I went to high school with, graduated with, and shared memories with that, thinking of it now, haven't really talk to since my high school graduation. When I visited my old high school two weeks ago,I realized that after this class graduates (the Class of 2015) I will more or less know no one who attends El Cerrito High School. Well, besides my sister, who will be attending E.C. this upcoming fall, but that's besides the point. Due to graduation for the Class of 2015, I decided to look at my old year books. I reread my friends signatures and the paragraph/ page long entries about our time together and to tell you the truth, I laughed and almost cried. Trust me, I do not miss high school AT ALL, but I really miss the people I've gotten to know, all who I most likely will text/ call very soon! I should also admit, I probably wouldn't want to see the majority of the people I went to high school with just because it was high school. It's the people I've spent so much time with whether it were during class or on the softball field that I really miss hanging out with.
As I traced the hand writings of all of these people that I've spent 4, 3, or 2 years of my life with that signed my yearbook, I know without a doubt that we've all changed. I know I've changed that as I grow and become more of who I want to be, who God has created me to be, I want the people that I've become friends with to be a part of that. I know there still is social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, and all that good jazz, but there's nothing like spending physical/ legit face-to-face time with someone and becoming closer in language. What I mean by "becoming closer in language," (it's something I learned in Philosophy) which means "communication." In other words, the only way we tend to get to know people and grow in friendship is through communicating: language. It's talking and listening that I feel has established friendships and stronger bonds between people, two foundation social interactions that have been eminent factors in my personal friendships: Time. Spending time with people. I guess you could say time is one of my love languages because, now having spent two years in college, time is important and continual. Knowing that someone wants to spend time with me means a lot. Knowing that as precious as time is, they want to spend it with me.
It blows my mind to realize how important relationship is. It's really cool to think that in Genesis 2:18, the Lord says, "It is not good for the man to be alone," which I have interpreted as, we (us, you, me, people) were made for relationship! Correct me if I'm wrong, but God does not say "It is NOT good," again throughout the creation account besides having seen Adam needing a companion. I feel that this is not limited to JUST a significant other, but with family members, friends, and acquaintances. It's meeting new people and growing in relationship that I feel closest with God. To learn and love his people that I may pursue and love as He does. So, not only will I be reading and running this summer, but also pursuing relationship!
As I traced the hand writings of all of these people that I've spent 4, 3, or 2 years of my life with that signed my yearbook, I know without a doubt that we've all changed. I know I've changed that as I grow and become more of who I want to be, who God has created me to be, I want the people that I've become friends with to be a part of that. I know there still is social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, and all that good jazz, but there's nothing like spending physical/ legit face-to-face time with someone and becoming closer in language. What I mean by "becoming closer in language," (it's something I learned in Philosophy) which means "communication." In other words, the only way we tend to get to know people and grow in friendship is through communicating: language. It's talking and listening that I feel has established friendships and stronger bonds between people, two foundation social interactions that have been eminent factors in my personal friendships: Time. Spending time with people. I guess you could say time is one of my love languages because, now having spent two years in college, time is important and continual. Knowing that someone wants to spend time with me means a lot. Knowing that as precious as time is, they want to spend it with me.
It blows my mind to realize how important relationship is. It's really cool to think that in Genesis 2:18, the Lord says, "It is not good for the man to be alone," which I have interpreted as, we (us, you, me, people) were made for relationship! Correct me if I'm wrong, but God does not say "It is NOT good," again throughout the creation account besides having seen Adam needing a companion. I feel that this is not limited to JUST a significant other, but with family members, friends, and acquaintances. It's meeting new people and growing in relationship that I feel closest with God. To learn and love his people that I may pursue and love as He does. So, not only will I be reading and running this summer, but also pursuing relationship!
Thank you so much for reading! You the real MVP!
I hope you have a great day!
-Jacky
